Mop and method of making the same



United States Patent Otice 3,336,620 MOP AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAB/[E Anna Marie Moss, Shaker Heights, Ohio, assgnor to Theron V. Moss, Cleveland, Ohio Filed lJuly 14, 1964, Ser. No. 382,557 12 Claims. (Cl. 15-229) This invention relates generally as indicated to a novel and improved mop and mop swab, and more particularly to a unique multi-purpose mop in which the component cords are arranged and controlled in a manner to enhance both its usefulness and durability.

Reference may be made to United States Patents 2,825,- 914, 3,011,198 and 3,115,658 as well as to the copending application of Theron V. Moss entitled Mop Construction, Ser. No. 370,946, filed May 28, 1964, for disclosures of certain features which have been found highly advantageous in the construction of lloor mops. Certain of these features may, if desired, be included in the mop of this invention, which furthermore incorporates a novel design useful in mops employed both for wet mopping and for dusting xpurposes.

Mops previously known have usually comprised bundles of yarn secured to an appropriate elongated handle by means of a clamp type holder with two swab portions extending separately therefrom. A certain amount of skill is required in the proper manipulation of such mops for effective results and, while suitable for wet or dry mopping, they have not been very adaptable for dusting purposes regardless of the swab size. Moreover, in many mops now in use, the individual yarns tend to be easily tangled, to unravel at the ends, and eventually to become matted together, thus making them very ineicient in .their primary function of absorbing water.

Furthermore, most mops presently available have the swab secured to the handle by a metallic clamp or similar attachment means whereby furniture, baseboards, etc. can -be easily damaged due to contact with the attachment means as the mop is used.

It is accordingly a .principal object -of this invention to provide a mop in which the yarns or cords -are oriented in a particular manner to provide a cushioning or buffer zone between the mop holder and articles contacted by the mop in use.

A further object is to provide a .mop in which the cords are maintained in a particular arrangement or disposition so as not to become confused or tangled in use r when the swab is washed in a washing machine.

Yet another object is to provide `a mop in which the cords are restrained against undue Iunraveling in use and which will not produce excessive lint when used or washed.

An additional object is to provide a mop in which the end portions of the yarns or cords are maintained in a somewhat spread out relationship but are nevertheless all joined together and interconnected in a manner affording desired control of the same in use.

A further object is to provide a mop which is especially suitable for domestic Iuse and which is capable of being used for a multipilicity of purposes, such as dusting and wet or dry mopping, by drawing the same across the surface to be cleaned, or alternatively brought vertically symmetrically into contact with such surface and rotated back and forth as it is advanced.

Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following more detailed description of the invention.

These and other objects are achieved by means of this invention in which a mop is provided including a mop swab comprising a multiplicity of twisted stranded cords 3,336,620 Patented Aug. 22, 1967 secured together in a bunched relationship intermediate their ends and extending generally radially therefrom with means flexibly interc-onnecting the end portions of the cords and entirely encircling the swab to distribute the cords uniformly fcircumferentially thereof.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

FIG. l is a perspective -of one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a .top view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a modified form of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates the swab of FIGS. 1 and 2 connected to a suitable handle; and

FIGS. 6-8 inclusive illustrate one method of making a swab in accordance with this invention.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1-3, a mop swab, designated generally by the numeral 1, is illustrated which comprises a multiplicity -of twisted stranded cords 2 (it being understood that the terminology cords as used herein is intended to be generic to all similar materials such as yarns, etc.) secured together in a bunched relationship intermediate their ends by a holder 3. The holder 3 is preferably of the type illustrated in U.S. Patent 2,835,914 comprising a pair of separable flexible plastic pieces, one piece being a threaded hollow cylinder at its upper portion and including a ring or strap section to engage the underside lof the cords to assemble them into a -generally bunched relationship and the other piece being a hollow cylindrical member designed to engage threadedly with the external surface of the upper portion of the ring section.

The cords are interconnected by tape means 4 in a region lspaced a short distance from the end portions of the cords to assist in maintaining the cords in the desired configuration. Stitching 5 is also Iprovided in the tape means for securing same to the swab. The cords thus extend generally radially outwardly from the holder into a layer approximately a single cord in thickness adjacent the tape means to provide a generally bell-shaped configuration for the swab. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the swab has looped end portions 6 of the same type as described in the aforesaid co-pending application of Theron V. Moss.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tape means 7 may desirably be positioned on the inner surface of the cord assemblage. One advantage of the construction of this embodiment is that, when the swab is used, the tape means will not come in contact with the floor surface, but instead only the individual cords will contact such surface thereby providing a s-ubstantially uninterrupted mopping surface.

It will be appreciated that the bell-shape configuration of the swab provides a cushioning or buffer zone C adjacent the holder due to the tightly bunched relationship of the cords within the ring portion of the holder and the tape which interconnects the cords and distributes them substantially uniformly circumferentially of the swab. Consequently, when the mop is used, there is less likelihood of the holder or handle coming in contact with furniture or other articles which might be on the floor being mopped. Rather, the swab itself, and particularly the buffer zone thereof, will engage such articles thus avoiding or minimizing damage thereto.

In FIG. 4, a modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated. A swab is designated generally by the numeral 8 comprising a multiplicity of cords 9 secured together by a holder 1t) in a generally bunched relationship intermediate their ends, as in the previous embodiment. The cords are interconncted by tape means 11 and stitching 12. In this embodiment, the individual cords have freely extending or cut ends 13 rather than the looped configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. A buffer Zone C is provided by the generally bell-shape configuration of the swab. In this embodiment, the cords also extend generally radially outward from the handle and are spread out into a layer approximately a single cord in thickness adjacent the ends of the assemblage by the tape means and stitching which interconnect the cords. It will also be understood that, in this embodiment, the tape means may be provided on the inner surface of the swab in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3. Y

In FIG. 5, a swab 15 of the type illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown attached by holder 16 to a suitable handle 17. Tape means 18 and stitching 19 are provided to interconnect the end portions of the cords to give a bell-shaped configuration to the swab. As in the FIG. 1 embodiment, the swab has looped end portions 20.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 6-8 inclusive, one method of making such a swab is illustrated. AS shown in FIG. 6, a multiplicity of generally parallel cords 21 are provided to form an array of such cords doubled back and forth on themselves to form a plurality of loops 22 at the respective ends of the array. (The lateral spacing of the cords is greatly exaggerated in FIGS. 6 and 7 for the purpose of clarity.) Flexible fabric tapes 23 are positioned transversely of the cords and secured to the cords by stitching means 24 thereby forming a layer of substantially a single cord in thickness adjacent the looped ends of the array. The cords are gathered together approximately at the midpoint of the array to form a tightly compacted central bundle (FIG. 7) by holder 25. In such position, the swab is fanned out at the respective end portions 26 and 27 from the compacted central bundle.

To form the array into the desired bell-shaped swab, the adjacent ends of tape means 23 are connected as illustrated in FIG. 8 at 28. The remaining ends of the tapes will thereafter be connected to complete the formation of the skirt of the bell-shaped swab. The ends of the tapes preferably may be connected by means of a waterproof adhesive, such as an epoxy cement, which is forced slightly into the stitching adjacent the point of connection to perform the further function of preventing unraveling of the stitching from the tapes and cords. Alternatively, the ends of the tapes may be stitched together or Connected by any suitable connecting means. As shown at 29, the array of cords is positioned within the ring or strap member of the previously described holder thereby tightly bunching the cords together at their midportions.

It is to be understood that, in the preferred embodiment of this invention, tape means and stitching are employed and are positioned in a region a short distance from the end portions of the cords. The precise location of such means is generally approximately 2 to 3 inches from the end of the swab, but, may, of course, vary somewhat. The tape means and stitching serve to maintain the oriented arrangement of the individual cords, particularly in the embodiment including cords with looped end portions. It is through the use of such interconnecting means that the cords are positioned and maintained in a relatively thin layer (approximately a single cord in thickness) to form the desired bell-shaped swab. The exact configuration or extent of the bell-shape of the swab is dependent upon how tightly the cords are interconnected and can be varied somewhat as desired. It is preferable, however, that the'cords be arranged so that they rest in a normal side-by-side relationship in a layer of about a single cord in thickness to provide greater effi- 4 ciency in absorbing water, as described in U.S. Patent 2,825,914.

It is preferable that tape means and stitching both be employed, but it is to be understood that tape means or stitching may be used alone, if desired. When tape means is used without stitching, it may be glued directly to the cords by use of a waterproof cement of the type previously described. The stitching should preferably be of nylon thread to add strength to the swab, but other materials may be used. Similarly, a strip of paper adhesive tape may, if desired, be placed upon the cords beneath the fabric tape, as disclosed in the aforesaid Patent 3,115,658.

Many materials are suitable for use in the swabs of this invention including rayon cord, blends of rayon and cotton and blends of rayon, cotton and nylon. In the preferred embodiment, a soft limp cord or yarn is used, with rayon or a blend of rayon and cotton being especially suitable for such use. Bleached hemp cord blended with a small percentage of braided nylon or other synthetic plastic strands, such as Orlon or Dacron may also be used, or alternatively cotton cord may be utilized. Twisted stranded cords are the preferred mop cords, but other materials such as braided yarn, felted strips of various fibers, and single yarns may also suitably be used.

The novel mop disclosed herein is capable of a variety of domestic uses, as for example, it may readily be used as either a wet or dust mop. The mop may be used without a handle o1' with a relatively short handle as a duster for furniture, etc. Moreover, since the swab is easily removable from the holder, it may be machine washed and thus may be used indefinitely for many purposes, as desired.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A mop swab comprising a multiplicity of mop cords extending across said swab between the two ends thereof, means securing said cords together in a bunched relationship intermediate the ends thereof, said cords extending radially from said bunched portion about the entire circumference of said swab, and means encircling said swab and flexibly interconnecting the end portions of said cords and the ends of said swab to distribute said cords uniformly circumferentially thereof.

2. The mop swab of claim 1 in which said means exibly interconnecting the end portions of said swabs comprises tape means on the inner surface of said swab.

3. The mop swab of claim 1 in which said means flexibly interconnecting the end portions of said swabs comprises tape means stitched to said cords, the ends of said tape means being connected by a waterproof cement which extends into said stitching and tape means to prevent unraveling of the stitching.

4. A bell-shape mop head comprising an assemblage of mop cords extending across said assemblage between the two ends thereof positioned in the ring of a holder adapted to be secured to a mop handle, said cords being tightly bunched together at their midportions where thus positioned in said ring and spreading out into a layer approximately a single cord in thickness adjacent the ends of said assemblage, and means exibly interconnecting said cords and the ends of said assemblage in the region where the latter are thus spread into such layer to hold them so disposed, said interconnecting means entirely encircling said mop head assemblage with said cords uniformly distributed circumferentially thereof.

5. A mop swab comprising an assemblage of a plurality of substantially uniformly radially disposed mop cords extending across said assemblage between the two ends thereof, tape means joining together the ends of said assemblage and said cords in side-by-side relationship in a generally flat laye-r approximately a single cord in thickness adjacent the ends of said assemblage, said tape means extending on one side only of said cords, and means securing the central portion of said cord asesmblage in bunched together mu1ti-layer relationship.

6. The mehod of making a mop swab which comprises forming an array of generally parallel mop cords dou-bled back and forth on themselves to provide a large number of loops at the respective ends of such array, securing tapes transversely of said cords Where the latter form a layer of substantially a single cord in thickness adjacent such respective looped ends of the array, gathering together the cords at the midpoint of such array into a tightly compacted central bundle, and connecting the adjacent ends of such tapes thereby to form a bell-shaped mop swab.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said tapes are of woven textile material, and the cords in such tightly compacted central bundle are positioned in the ring of a mop holder before thus connecting the ends of said tapes.

8. A method of making a mop swab which comprises forming an array of generally parallel mop cords, forming said cords into a layer of substantially a single cord in thickness adjacent the end portions of said cords, securing tapes transversely of said cords where the latter form said single layer, gathering together the cords at the midpoint of said array into a tightly compacted central bundle, and connecting the adjacent ends of such tapes thereby to form a bell-shaped mop swab.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said tape means are secured to said cords by stitching therethrough.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the ends of said tape means are connected together by a waterproof cement which extends into said tape means and stitching to prevent unraveling of said stitching.

- connecting the end 11. A method of making a mop swab which comprises forming an array of generally parallel mop cords, interportions of said cords to form a layer of substantially a single cord in thickness adjacent the ends of the array, gathering together the cords at the midpoint of said array into a tightly c-ompacted central bundle, and connecting the adjacent ends of said interconnected cords thereby to form a bell-shaped mop swab.

12. A method of making a mop s'wab which comprises forming an array of generally parallel mop cords, interconnecting the end portions of said cords adjacent the ends of the array, gathering together the cords at the midpoint of said array into a tightly compacted central bundle, and connecting the adjacent ends of said interconnected cords thereby to form a bell-shaped mop swab.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,427,478 8/ 1922 Kenner l5--120.2 1,625,857 4/ 1927 Jumonville 30G-21 1,700,136 1/ 1929 Leidgen 15-120.2 1,73 6,236 11/ 1929 Wertz. 42,493,791 l/1950 Walling 15-230.15 2,677,838 5/1954 Jouban 15-120.2 3,115,658 12/1963 Moss 15--229.0

FOREIGN PATENTS 12,885/33 5/1934 Australia.

618,577 3/1927 France.

191,447 1/ 1923 Great Britain.

211,432 5 1923 Great Britain.

CHARLES A. WILLMUT'I-I, Primary Examiner. D. BLUM, Examiner. 

1. A MOP SWAB COMPRISING A MULTIPLICITY OF MOP CORDS EXTENDING ACROSS SAID SWAB BETWEEN THE TWO ENDS THEREOF, MEANS SECURING SAID CORDS TOGETHER IN A BUNCHED RELATIONSHIP INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF, SAID CORDS EXTENDING RADIALLY FROM SAID BUNCHED PORTION ABOUT THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID SWAB, AND MEANS ENCIRCLING SAID SWAB AND FLEXIBLY INTERCONNECTING THE END PORTIONS OF SAID CORDS AND THE ENDS OF SAID SWAB TO DISTRIBUTE SAID CORDS UNIFORMLY CIRCUMFERENTIALLY THEREOF. 